New Delhi, April 1
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound West Bengal, noting that a substantial number of objections have already been adjudicated and the remaining are likely to be decided by April 7.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant took on record communications received from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, indicating that more than 47 lakh objections have been disposed of so far out of a total pendency exceeding 60 lakh cases.
"We are quite happy and optimistic about the facts and figures," observed the Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, adding that nearly 1.75 to 2 lakh objections are being dealt with every day and the entire exercise is expected to be completed by April 7.
The apex court also reviewed developments relating to the constitution of Appellate Tribunals, which are to be headed by former High Court Chief Justices and judges.
It was informed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has notified 19 such tribunals and arrangements have been made for their functioning in Kolkata, with infrastructure support secured for an initial period of eight weeks.
The CJI Kant-led Bench was informed that orientation and training of tribunal members are being conducted to enable them to handle appeals filed both online and offline.
When objections were raised over the need for such training, the top court remarked that it was merely an orientation exercise and cautioned against "frivolous allegations".
Addressing concerns regarding the lack of reasons for inclusion or exclusion of names in electoral rolls, the CJI Kant-led Bench was informed that the software used in the process provides a dedicated column for recording reasons.
The Supreme Court directed that Appellate Tribunals should have full access to such records while adjudicating appeals.
The CJI Kant-led Bench further clarified that while the appellate body may evolve its own procedure consistent with the principles of natural justice, it should not entertain fresh documents unless their genuineness is verified.
During the hearing, senior advocates including Kapil Sibal, Shyam Divan and Kalyan Banerjee raised concerns over the filing of large numbers of Form 6 applications seeking fresh inclusion in electoral rolls during the pendency of the adjudication process.
It was submitted that, in certain instances, thousands of such forms were being filed, potentially undermining the integrity of the ongoing SIR exercise. However, the apex court termed such apprehensions as "premature and hypothetical", observing that such issues could be raised before the appellate tribunals if necessary.
"Nothing is before us in writing. You are not remediless," the CJI Kant-led Bench said.
Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for the ECI, submitted that the statutory framework permits the inclusion of eligible voters till the last date of nomination.
"If somebody has a right, nobody can thwart it," he said.
In its order, the apex court directed the ECI and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to ensure the timely payment of honorarium and logistical support to judicial officers, tribunal members and staff involved in the SIR process.
Posting the matter for further hearing on April 7 at 4 p.m., the apex court said it would review the functioning of the Appellate Tribunals and the overall progress of the SIR exercise after the completion of the adjudication process.
- IANS
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